For Amanda Butler, nobody's better than Pat Summitt

Amanda Butler is a Tennessee native. She grew up watching Pat Summit's Lady Vols basketball teams. Butler is also a former Florida basketball player, who competed against some of Summitt's best teams.

So no disrespect to UConn's Geno Auriemma, but as far as Butler is concerned, nobody's better than Summitt.

"I think she’s the best ever – men’s or women’s,'' Butler said. "Obviously UConn had a very significant streak that puts Geno up there in that conversation, but when you grow up in the state of Tennessee, you kind of have a different opinion of who the best is, and what that looks like, and I think there’s no question that she’s the best.''

Florida will host No. 5 Tennessee tonight at 7 in the O'Connel Center looking to bolster its season - and Florida's reputation as a program on the rise - with a victory. And while Summitt is a legend in Butler's eyes, she doesn't feel any pressure facing the legendary coach tonight.

"For me, it’s an honor and a privilege to compete against her,'' Butler said. "For us as a program, it’s what we want because they are still the benchmark for what success looks like in our league and nationally. And that’s where we want to be. And there’s no way around it, you’ve got to go through it to make it happen. So we’re excited about the challenge, I’m excited about the challenge as a coach.''

About the blog

Florida Gators fans, welcome to the Gator Report for all your news about Gators football, basketball and all UF sports. It's written by University of Florida beat writer Antonya English and the staff of the Tampa Bay Times. We invite your comments and participation.